Ridley House Writing 2026 (Stars)

AGS

House Writing

House Writing

Ridley Edition

Ridley Edition

Stars. AGS

Stars.

Wherewords meet thesky. Wherewords meet thesky.

Are we alone?

Rishi P. (12)

The Times

Arham S. (7)

Becoming My Own

Star

IV

The Little Prince

Samuel G. (13)

Hope Cole C. (12)

Shooting Stars

Thomas C. (10)

XII

Proxima Centauri

XVIII

Orion

Euan C. (11)

Matter

James R. (11)

XIX

Stars In the Darkness

Hashim A. (10)

Star Companion

Zirui W (8)

Star-Nosed Mole

Matthew R. (9)

Broken Stars

Ayaan K. (10)

Benjamin C. (9) V

One Hundred Angels;

One Thousand Tears

Alex Cr. (12)

Twinkle, Twinkle.

Dayeen A. (13)

The Day the Stars Went Missing

Fred S. (7)

VII

5 Star Restaurant

Aiden D. (7)

VIII

The Beauty of the Sky

Khizr-Abbass H. (13)

Vivaan D. (9)

XIII

The Keeper of a Fallen Knight

Meeran C (10)

What We Look Up To

Steven D. (11)

Scale

Olly R. (12) XX

The Sun: The Ultimate Solar Holiday!

Alex Ch. (12)

Shooting Star

Robbie S. (7) XXI

Astraeus and Ashes

Samuel E. (10) IX

Among the Stars

Sufian S. (12) XIV

XV

Death in the Stars

Shreyan K. (9)

Lost Among the Stars

George G (12)

XVI

Ares 9: An Unknown

Horizon

Fredrick M (9)

XVII

Constellations

Matthew F. (8)

Disappear

Ethan L. (8)

Towards the Skies

Zayd A. (8) XXII

Lazy Night Sky

Liam L. (9)

Comet. (1/2)

Dominic S (13) XXIII

Star. (2/2)

Alfie F. (13)

ADF R O M T H E H E

A W O R D

Welcome to the 2026 Ridley House Magazine on the topic of ‘Stars’.

Firstly, I would like to extend my thanks to Dominic Salum and the rest of our editorial team consisting of Khizr-Abbass Hussain, Alfie Foster, Samuel Griffin, Will Oakins (Ridley13), Alex Chadwick. Alex Croker, Rishi Patwardhan, George Greer and Sufian Sheikh (Ridley12). They have had the unenviable task of selecting the pieces that havefound their way into the magazine Thank you to everyone who has submitted work and congratulations to those entries that have made thefinal cut The House Writing comes at a very busy time in the academic year when our A level and GCSE students are very much in exam mode and lots of house competitions are taking place. I am therefore very grateful for everyone who has taken the time to contribute, whatever year group you are in

Ridley House have a proud recent record in House Writing, having won the competition for the past two years. Last year’s victory helped Ridley win the Watson Trophy with a late charge. The trophy was not sealed until the very last event ofthe year in the Junior Public Speaking Ridley pipped Hampden by a mere 0.5 points. We were less successful in the BrodieTrophy, where wefinished in fourth place.

The theme of‘Stars’ should give our students plenty of opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and interests, whilst showcasing a range of writing styles. I hope that you enjoy reading this year’s Ridley House Magazine.

OF RIDLEY HOUSE

Are we alone

The observatory was always coldest just before constructed on the side of a mountain, it was na every living thing. Elias, the sole operator in the e adjusting the telescope; its motorised humming for seemingly tens of miles. Above him, through billion ancient stars roared brightly in absolute s

He looked down at the central console. Nothing oscilloscope. The occasional minor spike gave h feeling of joy, only to realise seconds later that it interference.

“Are we alone?” he muttered quietly to himself in

It was a question he had asked the sky every nig Sometimes, looking at the vast and glittery expa comforting; comforting like a quiet library where up and think. Other times, like tonight, the empt like an abandoned house.

He imagined someone, somewhere, standing on ofthe distant stars Were they reaching into the Were they also listening into the static waves of s no one would ever hear them? Were they waiting introduction that would never come?

Elias needed to ground himself He allowed hims his own thoughts, so he rested his hand on thefr telescope. The stars didn’t answer. They just kep indifferent and impossibly beautiful. He sighed a light began to hide them from the sky. He reached down and reset the central console, preparing for tomorrow night when the sun would set, the cold would return, and he would look up at the void to ask again.

"Are we alone?"

Rishi P. (Ridley12)

Shooting star seen at the coast of the United Kingdom ; pollution rises which makes it harder to see the stars

-By Reporter Arham

On Sunday, the 6th of July, a shooting star was spotted at the coast of the UK. This shooting star was reportedly seen by a number of people drinking coffee at the Starbucks located at the beach

The Sun was about to set. A multitude of people were vacationing at the beach – the main site for the shooting star

Soon their average beach day turned into one of their most fascinating moments they will ever experience. The lifeguard was apparently heard to be telling everyone that a meteor or a shooting star was about to land , so stay back!

A lifeguard exclaimed, ‘I’ve never seen such a massive, like MAAASSIVE thing coming down from the sky!’

All of the people at the beach left and stayed a few metres away from what was expected to be the place that the shooting star would land.

As soon as the shooting star landed, all of the people crowded around the fiery meteor which caused a massive crater in the beach.

But, what if your kid could never see a star? As pollution rises, stars are fading away and are rarely able to be seen

But, what if your kid could never see a star? As pollution rises, stars are fading away and are rarely able to be seen.

There might be a day where kids learn the nursery rhyme of, ‘Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are, ’ without seeing a star.

Stars are a key factor of the sky, and without them the sky would be dull Shimmering, little dots in the sky would vanish due to light pollution. The duller ones will vanish from the naked eye, and the brighter ones would be harder to see.

So, if you ever want to see a shooting star, and want your ancestors to see stars, stop the light pollution. You can stop light pollution by only using outdoor lighting when necessary, and put shielding fixtures to direct light downwards.

Let’s ensure the next generation can look up and, like those before them, find themselves in the stars

Arham S. (Ridley

7)

Until they had no choice BANG!

STAR ≠ EGO

The aggressive sound of the pistol broke the silence with hostility.

But let’s just skip to the more significant part of the race to see who came second

Because we all know that he won the race by minutes Right?

Two minutes in and he had already completed 1200 metres with 300 left

So what did he do?

He decided to walk until he got to 100 metres

Casually strolling to the starting line

Casually strolling to the finish line.

The overwhelming sight of people behind him still did not worry him at all; breathing as if he were walking to school.

Until they weren’t behind him anymore.

Suddenly the boy did not know what took hold of him - of course he didn’t

It was a cold rush of fear

Becoming MyOwn Star

I used to look up at the sky, Searching for someone else’s light

Someone brighter

Someone braver

Someone shining in the night

I thought a star had to be loud, Burning big for all to see, Glowing gold and standing proud, Everything I wasn’t… me.

But stars don’t shout. They softly glow.

They don’t compete. They simply show

That even in the darkest skies

A quiet light can still appear

It doesn’t need a crowd of eyes

It doesn’t need applause or cheer

So now I stand a little taller, Even when my voice feels small, Because I’ve learned a simple truth: A star just has to shine, that’s all.

And maybe I don’t light the whole sky, Or sparkle like the ones above,

But I have found my steady glow, A light made out of hope and love.

Benjamin C. (Ridley 9)

STAR COMPANION

Dear Franky the Dog,

I am writing to you to reflect your amazing life and all that you achieved You may not have been a Hollywood star, a singer, a celebrity, 5-time Grammy-award winner but to me you weren’t just a dog An excellent dog nonetheless but still not just a dog A protector, a pillow to lean towards, and a trustworthy friend I could always rely on Since your passing I have been in mourning and grieving my loss

I hope you are all well in heaven and all of this has made me realise that how dependent I was of you You were the engine of the car, the foundation of the building You cemented everything in my life and you were the true star When the road was steep you wouldn’t back down, but go head to head with the enemy, when we were in tricky situations you always found the alternative route You always made me laugh and whenever I was with you, you made my day better

Your death has been a reminder of how kind, patient and humble you were, and I will never forget the small details that made my day You were the thing that kept the sky from falling but now that you are gone, I have no choice but to continue in this scary world without stabilisers

Now I am stuck in this very long tunnel of darkness, searching for light The light is like a magnet attracting me towards it One day, I will be with you when I reach that light, but now I need to fight against the current and charge forwards

Write to you in a year

From Lotty

Astar-nosed mole, what a peculiarsight It likestofind and not tofight

Itsstarshape nose is beyond compare

It can smell you from here, so beware!

It can smell underwater using bubbles

And with itsclaws, thedirt it shovels

It can swallowfood in lessthan a second Digestion must be a problem, I reckon Eitherwaytheywill always be known aswonders if nature, as I’veshown

BROKEN STARS

THE STAR-NOSED MOLE

I layon the road, with thewind feebly brushing off myskin as I tucked underneath theglareofthe moon. I stared up and contemplated the jewelswhich wereembedded in our atmosphere. As I kept on enjoying thescene, I saw a bright, fast object passing through thesky.To my bewilderment, I believed it was a shooting star and prayed, “I hopethiswarwould end”. I heard my mothershout my name and got up. As I walked back, theshineofthestargot brighter, and brighter. I ran asfast as I could tothe house, with sweat pouring down myshirt.Then everything went black. I gasped as I woke upfrom the nightmare and found myself in thesame positions, and felt blood trickling down my body. Barely, I managed to use all of myselftoget up, onlytoseethe remainsof my house as flames had engulfed the building.Thescreamsoffamilies had echoed through the atmosphere as somewitnessed thedeath oftheir loved ones. What wethought werestars, which we askdreams from, were actually manufactured in theshapeofdeadlyweapons, madetocausedestruction to our homes.

Ayaan Khan (Ridley10)

ONE HUNDRED ANGELS

When I was a young boy, and I was yet to experience the world, I asked my mother “Are the stars in the sky the tears of angels, crying at the miracle of life?” “Yes, dear.” She replied. “For every child born, there are one hundred angels, each weeping one thousand tears of joy.” And I went through my years - crying up at the angels - blessed with life.

When I was a young man, and I had experienced halfthe world, I asked my mother. “Are the stars in the sky the tears of angels, crying at the desperation of life?” “Grow, dear.” She replied. “Grow old and abandon this idea of‘angels’. Do one hundred things, and meet a thousand people ”

And I went through my years - crying with myface steeled - blessed with the people I had met

When I grew old, and I had experienced the whole world, I had no mother to ask “Are the stars in the sky even angels? Are they crying for us, or with us?” Silence was the only reply left for life to give me

And I spent my last year, staring up at the stars, wondering, “Are they even angels?”

When I had grown past this world, and taken my place amongst the angels, I did not see my mother I stared down at the earth below me, the joy and the genocides; the pains and the pleasures…

Alex Cr. (Ridley12)

I, too, weeped one thousand tears

ONE THOUSAND TEARS

Twinkle, Twinkle.

Twinkle twinkle, little star

How I wonder what you are

Up there in the sky, Winking at me with your little eye

Hidden in that blanket of darkness

Can’t put into words its sharpness

How I wonder when you were made

What I would give to trade

A moment of wallowing in its beauty

I feel as ifthough it is my duty

A moment with you is more precious than gold Me and you together will never grow old

These are the treasures of nature

Turn the hearts of even a hater

The wonders of world which are always seen

But we never appreciate how long they’ve been Twinkle twinkle, little star, Now tell me, what are you?

Dayeen A. (Ridley13)

T H E D A Y T H E S T A R S W E N T M I S S I N G

Thursday 4 September 2025 th

Dear Diary,

Tonight the strangest thing happened. I went to make a wish upon a star and I couldn’t spot one star in the night sky.

I looked up and suddenly seas of stars were raining down, filling rivers and oceans until only the darkest remained

It isn’t difficult to describe what a sky without stars looks like, just black - an endless, eerie, echoing black

I desperately needed that wish tonight! I start at my new school tomorrow and I have no idea what it is going to be like. I have this horrid feeling in the pit of my stomach, my heart is racing like a beating drum and my palms drip like a waterfall I try to calm myself down, breathe, just breathe Fred!

I feel completely despondent, wishing on a star has always helped me through the toughest situations and now I am on my own! What if the kids hate don’t like me? What if the teachers are mean? What if they make fun of me? What if I get lost in that gargantuan school? Breathe just breathe Fred!

I spend what seems like an eternity with images of all the disastrous things that could happen tomorrow racing through my mind. I try to drift off into sleep but I seem to find myself in a forest

- what is going on here? Where am I? How did I get here?

Suddenly, I am falling down, deeper and deeper into a pit of black emptiness. Down, down, down I fall I scream out but cannot find my voice I wake in fright, confused and disorientated My mother shakes me awake and it takes me a few moments to realise where I am I am in my bedroom again, there is no light at the window - it is still night - are the stars still missing?

I launch myself at the window and to my delight I see the shimmering, sparkling, spectacular stars shining down on me. I cannot take my eyes off their breathtaking beauty and as I sit there gazing up I see a shooting star dance across the night sky and I know that tomorrow will be a great new adventure

I will write again tomorrow!

Fred S. (Ridley 7)

5 Star Restaurant

Aiden D (Ridley7)

The weather poured with rain and the car suddenly skidded to a halt We arrived at the sight of an abandoned, rusted, ruined restaurant that had been unused for years and would prove no use to normal people Except, we weren't ‘normal people’, we were determined to make the best 5 star restaurant The remains of the tragic fire leading the bankruptcy of the business was left in a complete disarray But we were here to restore this building and make it the best restaurant in town

First, we rebuilt the kitchen, making sure Thomas and Charlie could use their cooking skills to make the highest quality food Then, we made a spacious, strategic seating area placement for Noah’s hasty footwork come in handy After all the renovating, I was left with supervising the restaurant and making sure everything went well

ah’s hasty footwork to come in handy. After all the renovating, I was left with supervising the restaurant and making sure everything went well.

We slowly started gaining customers which earned us 2.5 stars but unexpectedly a different restaurant had opened across the street and was growing rapidly. This only made business for us worse since they had started out with lots of money, giving themselves a huge head start. And only in the first couple days, they got their third star before us, and were on their way to their fourth.

We slowly started gaining customers which earned us 25 stars but unexpectedly a different restaurant had opened across the street and was growing rapidly This only made business for us worse since they had started with lots of money, giving themselves a huge head start And only in the first couple days, they got their third star before us, and were on their way to their fourth

The crew wouldn't give up, and we worked even harder, using all of our skills to satisfy customers and achieve our goal of being the best restaurant Before reaching our final star and beating our rivals, we had impress a food critic We had no idea what to do and we were all panicking, until Charlie came with a brilliant idea

The crew wouldn't give up, and we worked even harder, using all of our skills to satisfy customers and achieve our goal of being the best restaurant. Before reaching our final star and beating our rivals, we had to impress a food critic. We had no idea what to do and we were all panicking, until Charlie came up with a brilliant idea. The food critic had sat down and asked for our best dish, and lucki

The food critic had sat down and asked for our best dish, and luckily, Charlie’s pizza tacos were already prepared The food critic tasted our food, then there was a long pause She was impressed! The pizza tacos had worked! We reached our 5th and final star and completed goal of becoming the best restaurant in town

was a long pause… She was impressed! The pizza tacos had worked! We reached our 5th and final star and completed our goal of becoming the best restaurant in town.

The BeautyoftheSky

Day in, day out Without fail the sunlit blue would return to black and white, its colourful blemishes appearing on the expansive canvas above me when least expected A reflection ofthe passage oftime, a glimpse into the stellar past that precedes us all, yet differing with each moment that passes by I never once stopped to admire the beauty ofthe sky, but once I did, I never quitefelt the same

One tenebral evening, no different to the plethora that came before it, the suave breeze tapped on my face Drowning in the streetlights that illuminated my journey, I wandered without purpose, akin to my somnambulance that dominates my evenings I could smell the rain on nearby concrete, and the distant odours offreshly cooked food. The humming of cars, idle chatter and the gentleflow ofthe river beside mefilled my ears as I walked, head down, oblivious to the world around me.

I became strangled with anxiety as my shadow began to blend into the night, the glow above me dimming with each stepforward; my breathing quickened, my blood pumped faster, and sweat began to line my clothing. For a moment I dared not to look up, for what was there to see?The darkness ofthe night had already enveloped me, and yet I still paced with the same wanderlust that urged myfeet on. Piercing on through the velvet black curtain before me, I weaved past signposts, rocky residues, and squelching pathways, guiding myself with only my apt memory ofthe surroundings.

I soon reached a blockade, myfeet came to a halt, but my heavy breathing presided. My eyes, now untethered to the pebbled floor, darted around for an answer, but to no avail. The air was cooler, picking away at my skin, the rain angered on, and the pungency offood had long dissipated. It was at that moment, with my guard unchecked, that the sky opened up. The clouds retired, the rain ceased, and starlight began to precipitate instead. I could see the dim glow before I could feel it, my shadow resurfacing beneath myfeet. The harsh streetlights that drowned me before no longer did, as I was now afloat in the gentle waves of stellar luminescence that spilled from the sky; a sea of calm in a night of worry

I looked up, fortherewas all tosee.

A monopoly of constellations and constructions sat idly above me, wrapping the night sky with tenderness The violet undertones ofthe velvet curtain draped me in relaxation, scarring the sky with light In but a short moment, the reign ofthe night eased into the bliss ofthe universe, intruding the expansive canvas with stellar blemishes I stared back down at the ground, myfeet outlined by the dim glow ofthe stars My breathing slowed, my sweat cooled, and my body loosened, for I realized that not only was it myself, but the sky which had been guiding me on this path, day in and day out

As the darkness returned once again, the streetlights gloomed, the odours prevailed and the rain drizzled louder. I was plunged into that same velvet blanket as before, albeit this time, dipped in the stars that hid in the sky. That tenebral evening, different to all those before it, I travelled with desire, head held high, waiting for another star to peek through the sky. I never once stopped to admire the beauty ofthe sky, but once I did, I never quitefelt the same.

Astraeus and Ashes

Lightning struck the open sea hundreds of times an hour. Intensifying the putrefying smell of the deathly pale fish strewn across the water. Waves smashed the lifeless agglomerations of flesh against the ship The thunderous roars and shrieks, like a wild animal, of the clouds overcame the booming or the waves. Silvery, bleached astral being peered down from the overhung sky, personifying the endless atmosphere of smoke and ash above me.

The fire devoured the ship, scarring the wood as black as the congealed blood splattered across the foredeck A myriad of scorching ashes stung the loathsome, devious grin that dripped ruby glistening blood off of my arm. Fiery blood the same colour as the innumerable tiny suns hanging like dead bodies above the insignificant earth. My whole body shuddered with torment. Agony racked my body.

As night fell, a crescent moon echoed eerie light like shards of shattered glass Two eyes gleamed through the pitch black, agate stars staring devilishly at me; never blinking, never retiring from their post in the sky. A drizzle of rain fell from the sky, a moment or peace glimmering through the suffering, the petrichor piercing the smell of burnt tar ingrained on my tongue.

Small droplets of water pattered against my skin like masked tap dancers of death. Fresh skin shone in an atramentous nature, reflecting the shadows of the past and present. A fluttering bat cast a mountainous penumbra, blinding me with darkness and oblivion. Clouds shrouded the sky as they ceased their weeping. The last glimmer of the moon was consumed by a maw-like entity Waves of anguish sent me straight to purgatory Excruciating daggers clawed at my skin, tearing old wounds open What seemed like hours of desolation passed until dawn broke upon me. Warm rays of evil bathed my festering lacerations.

A sharp rustling brought me back from inside my own head, closer than the lapping of the waves

It was my cat. My ginger cat. Astraeus.

The limping feline crawled to me and nuzzled my hand with his patch-work nose. As he curled up against my leg his tiger-like fur rippled in the sunlight His chest shuddered His arrhythmic heart missed a beat He let out his last breath A breath of burnt rags and bloody skin. A breath of love and hatred. A breath of me. He was gone. The last hint of home. Gone like my soul. Carrying it off to hell, and not coming back.

Samuel E. (Ridley10)

The Little Prince Abookinreview.

Release Date: April 1943

Genre: Fantasy/Philosophical

Rating:

‘Le Petit Prince’ is a French novella written in 1943 by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It is written from the perspective of a narrator, an aviator stranded in the desert after a crash, whose situation embodies that of the author who in an attempt to break the speed record from Paris to Saigon, crashed in the Sahara Desert. The plot follows the story ofThe Little Prince who arrived on Earth after leaving his small home planet Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was born into an aristocratic French family in 1900. Hefaced numerous struggles in early life, such as his dad dying when he was 3 years old and his brother dying when he was17

‘Le Petit Prince’ is the second most translated book in history, to over 600 languages, onlyfalling short to the Bible It is a fantasy story which on the outside only appears suitablefor kids, and all illustrations are drawn by the author himself, demonstrating the personal connection he has with his writing However themes are expertly intertwined within the story, many coming from his personal experiences and his critical views on the mundane and cynical nature of man.

I was amazed at the depth ofthe story Little children's drawings line the pages, giving off a warm and welcoming feel, however this starkly contrasts the meaning behind the book The author makes appraisals of human nature but in the form of impossible and imaginative ideas that only work in the mind of a child.

The Little Prince lived on a house-sized planet, swept away volcanoes, and weeded invasive Baobab trees, he also had a rose as a girlfriend which was his closest companion. The knowledge of his life allows you a greater understanding of the plot, his marriage wasfull ofturmoil, and leaving his wife is depicted by his travel awayfrom his home planet The baobab trees seem so insignificant, but really signify the growing Nazi power creeping on 1940s France.

The Little Prince travels to six similar tiny planets, each with a singular person with a specific characteristic to show human shortcomings. I believe the most significant is the Businessman, he thinks he owns all the stars he can count, this is a direct criticism of greed for wealth and power Even though the Businessman is alone on his own planet, all he gives concern for is owning unreachable and un-ownable points of light in the sky as that is all that is left for him This really makes you realise the gluttony and selfishness we experiencefrom leaders around the world. The prowess demonstrated by the author is unmatched when it comes to symbolism and the ability to create meaning from simplistic images Afox alludes to how important relationships are, and a rose bush demonstrates how the rose he loved was only special to him because of its uniqueness The Little Prince was the most incredible being from the point of view ofthe narrator, and he still learns lessons about life throughout the story, this is a message to all readers that no one should stop their journey of growth

The story unfortunately ends with many questions left to answer. The Little Prince supposedly dies in search of returning to the rose he once loved, as he now understands his responsibility in all of her imperfectionsfrom all the lessons he has learned on his travels A beautiful line is used by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’to describe his death, one he said when describing the death of his brother when he was a teenager‘Il tomba doucement comme tombe un arbre’ (He fell as gently as a treefalls) As all great things eventually come to an end.

This book is one ofthe most unique and distinguished pieces of literature ever written, the story is open to interpretation and many people still debate on topics included today. The Little Prince was a person whofound happiness in the simplest things in life, and eventually he knew that the only way to befree was to accept his end Antoine de SaintExupéry died shortly after writing his most famous book, and was never able to see what a success it would become, as he died before his best work was published in the country he gave his life to protect.

Samuel G. (Ridley13)

HOPE

There is no hope. None at all. The dim light in front of meflickers constantly, but I know nothing will come of it. All these attempts. All this time. All this effort, yet nothing has worked. “We’ve just got to believe. That’s all we have to do ”

I turn around and stare at the captain, wondering what level offoolish hope has been instilled in him Nothing will work Nothing has ever worked. We just have to believe, Lyra. We have been believing for years. Ever since I can remember it started getting fainter and fainter. Now, nothing is left but a dull glow. “What makes you think we can make it bright again?” I ask the captain, tears pooling down on to thefloor in front of him.

“Hope is all we have In a world where nothing has gone right for us, any of us, all we can do is hope ” he sniffled He was right Nothing has ever gone right for either of us Ever since my parents died, he had taken care of me. He had acted as a second father to me. Through thefamines, floods, and poverty, he had been therefor me. He had always believed we would get through it. It almost rubbed off on me, however, nothing had ever gotten better. It was suffering upon suffering. Though we made it through everything, nothing felt any different.

“We just have to believe, Lyra, that’s all we can do I hate to see my star fading away All she needs to do is believe!”

The sensational spectacle, dancing across the night sky drew innocent life rather than wonderfilled eyes. Streaks of light cracking the deep black night, drawing their own masterpiece on the canvas ofthe sky, leave their mark down on the ground, but what they leave on the ground is no masterpiece but nothing short of a night terror Constellations split apart to break apart families, cities, happiness Shooting stars plummet like lashing winter rain leaving nothing in their wake but a plume ofthe smoke of death and the blood-curdling cries ofthe innocent. Fiery balls offury and rage tumble like the very tears they are about to inflict on the innocent. But why are the innocent subject to these nightmares? But why are the innocent subject to this cosmic storm? But why are the innocent subject to execution?

The unblinking eyes ofthe dead nowfill the sky and block out the light from the stars, and the cries of mothers, screaming, “Take me with them!” now echo amongst our ears because nobody with a heart that still beats is going to live in a land that has become coarse and mutilated by lightning falling from the heavens. The people who now have been banished to the loneliness ofthe grave are condemned tofloat with the starsfor eternity, onlyfor being oftheir Mother’s womb.

The numbers will continue to climb and the comet showers will continue to rain as us mere mortals cannot control the weather; we have to wait, we have to endure until the end because the end is coming and we will be rewarded with eternal day and no more shooting stars.

THE KEEPER OFA FALLEN NIGHT

Nova Hollow A small desert town seemingly in the middle of nowhere Surrounded by nothing more than dunes, and more dunes The air has always had a slight dusty taste The children were told not to wander off at night. There was no danger, but the silence ofthe black sky was always listening. This couldn’t befurther from the truth, at least to a little girl called Luna She was just 13, but her imagination was greater than that of any in the town Day after day, she would sketch beautiful images of stars To her, there was always a slight noise in the sky. Afaint, wordless hum which seemed to change when shefelt certain emotions.

One day, Luna woke up to the sky-song twisting into a sharp, painful note A streak of light tears across the sky and falls behind the dunes. After a long trek, shefinallyfound it. A crater. The same colour as moonlit water. Inside: a trembling creature of light, about the size of a small cat, but shaped like a rounded star It spoke in small chimes that Luna was somehow able to understand Its name, Celeste It camefrom a constellation. The little creature talked of how the constellation had shattered and was being hunted by ‘the dusk’. A cosmic silence that devours celestial music. Luna vowed then and there to completely protect Celestefrom everything Celeste was staying in Luna’s room All of a sudden, she could hear the sky song more clearly, and was getting visions oftemples, and rivers of starlight.

One night, not long after, a robed figure appeared Umbra She warned- “Sheltering stars disrupts the cosmic balance Return them, or the Dusk will find you ”

Meeran C. (Ridley10)

Luna had more visions over the coming weeks They led her to realise that the dusk was not a monster It was the silence born from the broken song ofthe constellation It seeksfallen stars because it wants to be whole again Luna reaches out Ready to offer the missing note. But the melody shifts. The stars brighten, the silence trembles. And the skyfolds in on itself The light snaps shut The universe, as if startled awake, waits, unfinished, listening for what comes next

Who do you look up to, your heroes or stars?

By that I mean your idols, not the Velorum on Mars

Either way, they’re symbols you look up to Like Mount Everest’s peak

Always there when you need wishing good luck to

When the situation gets bleak

They steady your climb; give you courage, so to speak

When you hide your emotions like a game of hide and seek

An athlete, your parents, or even a celebrity

Though the latter might lack the depth or integrity

One look at their life, and it all seems perfect

What about me and my goals? Is it even worth it?

It’s not behind the scenes if you show behind the scenes

Because the truth is, they don’t know what life really means

The issue is comparison, the thief of joy

Because chasing their highlights will only destroy

Stars hold it together; they keep loose ends tight

But even stars break quietly when no one sees their light

The stars are all hidden by the city’s neon glare

And yet I still look up, expecting them there

What is a star truly? Will we ever know?

Maybe they’re reminders ofthe light we don’t show

Sometimes they’re mirrors reflecting the strength we bring; Proofthat heroes aren’t distant, they’re just waiting within

«ENTRY 3»

\\

The EM tractor beam has been built Hypothetically, this should give us a range of 5 light years Enough for Proxima and just a little bit more As we finish the hull for the space shuttle, we must wait and prepare. We will wait for the perfect angle. An angle, that must… MUST… Launch us to Proxima b A single degree off and we lose not just this mission, but effort, effort that we spent trying to expand, to become advanced, inter- system beings Let’s not waste such a chance on minor imperfections

\\

«ENTRY 4»

\\

The hull has been finished and loaded with everything it needs The crew is currently being selected and training shall proceed. Other than this, we are ready. Now, we wait. Let’s not keep the stars waiting too long, shall we?

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«ENTRY 5»

\\

It is time One of the grandest evens in history shall take place today – this midnight It is time we expand beyond our home The crew is ready inside the hull, belongings packed and equipment docked in Let’s get ready to start this, ONCE AND FOR ALL

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«ENTRY 6»

\\ The clock strikes midnight The tractor beam glows an otherworldly ultraviolet and hums subtly In a flash of light we’re launched into space Let’s reach for the stars, and become something far greater

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«ENTRY 7»

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Day 1 of the great extent. Everyone is on board and resuming life like normal. The glass panes give us the clearest view of the very stars that surround us Little shining dots in an otherwise empty void I shall make some tea for myself and make myself content with this new reality I shall post weekly This is interesting, very very interesting

\\

AMONGTHE STARS ALLEZ!

DEATH INTHE STARS

Thefan was desperately puffing, as it struggled against the gargantuan heat ofthe star up ahead. Despite the continuous noise swelling in my ears, I tried my best tofocus on the research. I had to constantly remember why I had come here; to avoid the death sentence. I could have chosen the chair, but going out like that seemed to lame, so I decided why not help make a contribution to science, and explore the death of a star. I don’t think any sane person would do this, but after what I did before this, I don’t think I qualifyfor sane

The collapse was scheduled to happen any second now, and if I wanted to keep this mission from going in vain, I would have to ignore all my surroundings so I could get enough information to send back to earth. The red glare ofthe giant burned out the back of my eyes, like theflames I set off in … No I can’t think ofthat right now, I must concentrate. The roaring ofthefan almost flooded my head, as I almost lost my concentration and BANG! The unfathomably bright beams shocked me out of my chair.

The sublime view astounded me as I leapt up to enjoy this spectacle. Then, the worst came. The intense gravity ofthe black hole slammed me to thefront ofthe ship, as I frantically searched for a pole or anything I could grab on to take refugefrom the titan up ahead. I tried again and again to get back to my seat and seized the leg ofthe seat, but the sweat made me slip as my head collided with the wall. I must have got a concussion as I began to see more stars, beautiful stars circling around me. They wereflashing, appearing and disappearing as I felt a crushing rip through my head from the impact.

I could feel the star wrenching me, punishing mefor not saving it from doom. It tore at me, stretching mefrom limb to limb as I screamed in agony as I’d never felt it before Thefan exploded next to me, as it burst intoflames, as thefire suffocated me My vision was a distant memory, and movement gave me a sense of nostalgia The stars circling me merged into one, transforming into a majestic ball of light, calling to me, and I obeyed

Shreyan K. (Ridley 9)

LOSTAMONGTHE STARS

[Hologram crackles to life]

Hi Dad. I don’t know if this message will ever reach you, but I had to try. It’s just me left on the ship now. The rest of the crew were in a separate exploration shuttle when the main system failed. We’ve tried to reach them again and again, but there has only been silence. I fear that no one could have survived an explosion of that scale.

The real problem is the ship itself. I managed to jump galaxies just before the explosion hit the main ship. However after the jump, I knew something was wrong immediately. The star charts were going haywire. None of the patterns match the ones from our galaxy. I had travelled far beyond where we were supposed to go, and now I'm somewhere completely unknown Lost Alone

Every night I sit near the observation window Thousands of stars spread across the darkness around the ship The ship still has working life-support systems, and there are enough supplies for a long time if I'm careful Most days I check the engines again and again, hoping to find a way to repair the drive

I miss home more than I can explain I miss fresh air and being able to stand outside instead of drifting through the narrow halls of this ship Now all I can see are the stars through the window and the endless space around us

If this message reaches you, please know that I’m safe, and I will do everything I can to find a way home

[Hologram flickers out]

George G. (Ridley12)

Ares9 : An Unknown Horizon

Boom-Boom…Boom-Boom…

Why am I here? I shouldn’t be here. I should go back…

My surroundings blurred; the buttons and dashboard spiralled into a whirlpool of bright colour

My heart felt as though it was about to fire out of my pounding chest, while my gut was strangling itself I stared at the door, pondering whether I should-

“Ares 9, this is Houston Final protocol sequences are complete; you are go for engine preparation ”

Reality snapped back with a titanic gasp My daze faded away, presenting an assortment of buttons and switches screaming into my eyes

I am an astronaut. This is my mission. I AM an astronaut. What am I saying? I’m in a tin can about to explode!

My head ached as I managed to pull the helmet around my neck, allowing me to observe my side. There were 2 other astronauts next to me, eagerly awaiting my orders.

If only they knew the horrors space could bring.

My mind swirled out of control as I ruminated on previous missions. Over 50 years ago. Apollo 13. 1970. Explosions. Oxygen Leaks. If, if that happened here then-

“Ares 9, this is Houston again All systems are good Launch cycle will begin shortly Prepare for launch in 1 minute ”

I looked left and right, holding stares with my fellow astronauts, both of whom wore a mix of apprehension and excitement on their faces

My dream melted away after my body was launched upward by a massive jolt from underneath my seat; we were about to launch.

“T -10 seconds 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Ignition!”

I clutched my seat as a shudder went down my spine, responded to by a growing roar from beneath The roar grew louder and heavier, bringing a rumble with it that evolved into a shake that rattled my entire body

“Ares 9, this is Houston Routine checks are clear We are gofor launch ”

This is it No turning back now We will make it to Mars

I articulated an image in my mind. I stood on a mighty stage: the human in the history of mankind to set foot on Mars.

Adrenaline rushed through my body; my eyes flew open, my heart raced, my muscles tensed A shiver bolted from my head to my toes I looked at my comrades, both of whom were now dead serious, staring straight ahead emotionless

The engines shrieked as my body was propelled backwards into my seat. I studied the complex array of buttons, switches and meters, all flashing wildly.

“This is Houston. We have lift off.”

The shaking persisted, as the altitude meter climbed in value: 100, 400, 800, 1200.

It’s finally happening. This was it. The moment we would go to space.

Destination: Mars.

I looked at my comrades, who processed a wide smile on their faces My face wore a false smile, half joyful and half running through a million terrible outcomes I shoved the negative thoughts to the back of my mind Nothing would go wrong, could it?

As the rocket propelled us through the atmosphere and beyond, I looked back through the small window on the side of the module Below me was everything I had ever known and loved And above me was a mystery Was it right to abandon the rest of my lifemy family, my friends, everything - in search of the unknown?

CONSTELLATIONS

Constellations.

We see them when we look up at the night sky. You may think ofthem as beautiful, delightful even. However, for thousands of years, they served a very important purpose in the world of sailing For ancient mariners, their only way of navigating was by constellations, long before compasses and maps existed The North Star was their GPS, and with stars like Polaris, you could see by how high it was howfar North (or South) you were in the world

These ancient techniques were passed down from generation to generation, proving that they were effectivefor many These stars provided a reliable navigation system, allowing sailors to sail across vast oceans knowing the constellations would guide them homeward When we do look up into the night sky, just think about how much our ancestors relied on constellations. Slow down, and value just the sheer beauty of nature.

Matthew F. (Ridley 8)

He’s been walking for years, his eyes arefilled with a void of emptiness, his heart is black and his brain is hollow The night sky glimmers with thousands of bright stars They look so small from here on earth, yet they are so big up close, bigger than you can imagine. Yet still, they are tiny in comparison to the vastness ofthe universe, so tiny you wouldn’t be able to see them if you had a view ofthe entire universe. Suddenly, he stops. Thefirst time he has stopped walking in centuries. He stands still in a deserted field, the soft blow ofthe wind ruffling his dirty hair He looks up at the sky and something shifts in his eyes It’s like he is suddenly aware of his existence, though his eyes remain black as ever. He lifts his arm and extends it toward the moon. In one swift motion, he brings his hand down and disappearsfrom theface ofthe earth And now there is nothing left of him.

Ethan L. (Ridley 8)

Renowned and recognisable across the world, the Orion constellation has been an inspiration for storytellers and astronomers, remaining an important symbol of ancient mythology and folklore. It is among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century AD astronomer Ptolemy.

At the centre ofthe constellation lies Orion’s Belt, containing stars over100,000 times as bright as the Sun The constellation isfamed for several features, namely the sword, head, club, and shield that make up the appearance of a hunter figure in the night sky

Beyond its physical brightness, the name “Orion” originates from the Greek word for “hunter.”

According to Greek mythology, Orion was an unnaturally large and strong hunter related to Poseidon, the god ofthe sea. The story goes that Gaia (Mother Earth) killed Orion because he boasted that he would kill all the animals on Earth Zeus honoured him by creating the constellation we know today in his name

The constellation goes on to be mentioned in several epic poems ofthe ancient world, including Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid

Furthermore, this set of stars has many intercultural links For example, in ancient Egypt, the constellation was seen as an embodiment of pharaohs who had passed away.

Whether a mythic hunter or just a few shining balls of light in the sky, Orion remains a timeless celestial symbol, as it has for so many centuries.

Euan C. (Ridley 11)

STARS INTHE DARKNESS

“Look at the stars, my son. In the stars you will find true solace, true comfort and know, I’ll always be watching you. When you are lost in the darkness, look up at the light ofthe stars.” he whispered, blood trickling out ofthe edge of his mouth. The light slowly disappeared from his eyes, leaving his son weeping over his dead body.

Thefights ofthe conflict still echoed around him. In his home country, time and war did not stopfor death. The bright, incandescent night sky ruptured with missiles, each blinding flash turning the dust in the air to silver, before plunging everything back into darkness

He wanted to shout, wanted to cry, but no sound came The merciless, unforgiving soldiers marched past, their boots trampling the bodies ofthe innocents Voices screamed in agony, and young boys just like him, weeped over the dead corpses oftheir parents The sky seemed so distant, so selfish The stars remained still, as iftormenting him.

The boy remembered thefunny stories hisfather used to tell him, whilst they laid on the roof oftheir humble home in the city, searching for constellations. Back then, the threat of an invasion loomed over them. But, they hadn’t touched his homeland yet. Hisfather would say, “That one is a scorpion. My son, you must be as brave as a scorpion. You must sting these invaders and show that we are united amidst cruelty.”

Another missile whistled through the night sky and buried itself in the shattered street, bringing the boy back to the present Shrapnel tore its way through the wind, and the cries ofthe innocents only made the boy more distraught What had happened to the homeland he had once loved?

Then, he looked up

The stars glowed, pulsating with hope and courage above him. They shone much brighter than any missile, any bomb, any weapon the enemy tried to use.

Hisfather’s words echoed inside him, “When you are lost in the darkness, look up at the light ofthe stars.”

The boy closed his eyes, tears trickling down and falling onto hisfather’sface. In the reflection of his father’s bright blue eyes, he saw the constellations glow magnificently, as if hisfather were speaking directly to him The boy whispered a prayer in Arabic, and closed hisfather’s eyes

The boy turned towards the narrow alley leading awayfrom the warzone Each stepfelt heavier than the last, yet the sky seemed tofollow him, a symbol of defiance, and maybe a symbol of hope The bombs streaked across the horizon, but beyond them, the stars continued to endure, small and stubborn against the darkness ofthe war.

As the boy disappeared into the smoke, he carried in his heart the only thing the enemy invasion had not taken from him. The quiet certainty, that even in a time of desperation and hopelessness, the light could still befound.

But only if you dared to look up at the light ofthe stars.

An infinite void stretches, reaching. The black abyss propels across the horizon like a child's scribble on a page, chaotic and unformed. Its unfathomable darkness remains impregnable to the eye and its mystery disturbs the mind; fear ofthe unknown, fear of an inexorable presence larger than the world we live on and thefear of being dwarfed by the intimidating nature of scale.

Scale places our mind in a location both uncomfortable and alienating As a race our biologyfightsfor existence, we are kept alive by our will to survive, despite the vastness ofthe world that knows not and cares not if we exist. The abyss exists with indifference, regardless of our pain, strife or even joy.

The recognition of scale breaks one's comforting perception of centrality, our consciousness in turn becomes a burden, forcing us to confront a reality in which meaning is not given but frustratingly absent.

Yet on this black canvas, marking differences across the mundane, lay stars. Punctuating the sky as ifthe child decided to conjure images rather than chaos Resisting the dominion of darkness, the stars diminish scale. Objects that are eons from ourselves appear as beacons through the night; one's eye does not travel into the darkness, it travels to the nearest star. As a race we look for hope and light, temporarily neglecting the veil of black surrounding us and thereby, we diminish scale. Thus, in this comforting initiative, consciousness ignores insignificance, in favour of illumination.

Oliver R. (Ridley12)

THE SUN

Want a taste ofthe sun during the cold months? Want to enjoy the natural fireworks of solar flares? The Sun is the perfect destination for your next trip!

First opened to tourists nearlyfive billion years ago, The Sun has become an institutional tourist destination, leaving many desperate to come back year on year Due to popular demand, we have increased our capacity by ten percent, and now have more rooms with air conditioning You can read about all thefacilities on offer to the right:

TowardstheSkies

I once thought stars were small. Tiny, a bit insignificant. That’s how I’d always seen them. Tiny dots of white peppered across the night sky. But one night, I went outside, and my perception changed It was when I went camping We were in an open space, the sky was cloudless I was milesfrom anything really When the sun finally hid away, it wasn’t just the moon that came out. I realised the true magnificence of what was above me. The sky exploded with bright, shimmering lights I finally acknowledged them for what they were - and all ofthem had a story to tell Some shone and stood out, and others glowed faintly Lying down, gazing up at the stars, I realised just how small we were in comparison to other beings in the universe Each star was a giant ball of burning gas, some even bigger than the Sun The sheer size ofthem made my head spin How could something so massive look so small? From a distance, even the greatest things can seem unimportant.

As I stared, I realised that some made different shapes and patterns Each one told a different story. I imagined seeing heroes, monsters and objects residing in the skies. The stars had been shining for millions of year Some even billions My dad once told me that we actually see stars in the past Starlight can take millenia, centuries or even mere years to arrive I imagined myself, seeing a star 3 years in the past It was a reminder of how much I’d grown, how much I’d changed. Back when I thought stars were some random insignificant part ofthe world I made a vow to myself; when life is getting overwhelming, I’ll look towards the skies, reminding me that there are things even bigger out there

Zayd A. (Ridley 8)

Lazy Night Sky

As I wake up, I begin by looking at thestars, after all, it would bethe last thing I get tosee…

I’m an astronaut, although at this point it isn’t too impressive At first, it was my dream, soaring through the night sky in those space-suits But now, looking at the infinite void, ending with the light at the end ofthe tunnel, I am not too sure. I planned to come home a hero; even ifthe second part comes true, thefirst might not I now look upon this broken world from a new perspective Too bad, I will never share it. This void might be empty but my vision is not, looking upon the stars, shimmering in golden light I hoped to become the star, not be surrounded by a crushed dream never to come to pass during my lifetime, however short that may be A piece of debris shoots past, the silence, a sad reminder of what’s to come Yet, I had made my peace. Alone, the last words I would’ve ever said going to a dead man, gone in the flash ofthe crash, all this due to the pollution of our world Earth, leaking all the way out here, a flying piece oftrash All it takes to destroy a multi-billion pound hunk of junk! Seriously? Humanity’sfinest work, destroyed by humanity’s carelessness? How ironic, ironic indeed.

Although my life might end here, at least it wasn’t a total waste But why should I care anymore? I can see the beauty ofthe sky that we takefor granted, shimmering pearls, endless oceans and the sun rising How lucky am I? I got to die, young but at the best time!

Liam L. (Ridley 9)

Comet

There’s this gravity of yours that I can’t escape

A mere comet, my only memory is the one where I had mistaken movement for freedom, as a condemned man might mistake pacing for escape. I burned because I couldn’t do anything but burn, I wandered to avoid noticing the emptiness that followed like a second shadow

And in that darkness came your alluring light

Now, like that same comet, I am confronted with you - not as I would please, but as if I need to. You, the brightest in the universe, stand unwavering in my path, and I have no power but to approach. Far from comfort, close to inevitability I tell myself I am free to turn away, that I am not merely governed by blind attraction, and yet every loud step of defiance quietly curves back with humiliating precision

This soundless melody of yours. What is this, if not proofthat my freedom has always been theatrical?And why have I been performing solitude how a drunkard performs dignity?

Just your existence exerts pressure enough to cloud my thoughts, a terrible clarity In your presence is where chaos begins to arrange itself, and I fully resent you for it Do you hear? I resent any meaning that gathers around you like witnesses. For what am I, if not a simple rock who has survived by insisting that nothing means everything?

And yet I return I always return You’re just too beautiful for me to leave

Shame surrounds me I envision myselffrom above - a lost fire reduced to a mindlessfollower of your path - and I am seized by that absurd desire in my heart to break the laws that bind me, only to prove that to them I am not subject. But even this rebellion bends towards you Refusal turns to approach A trap, not byforce, but by recognition, which isfar more merciless

Tell me, then, is this love, or is this thefinal collapse of my illusion of self? Do I strivefor a center, or have I long lost the argument for independence? I circle not with happiness, but dreadful awareness that in your gravity my contradictions match silence. Coherence is possible, you make me visible to you, to myself Unbearable Salvation

In all honesty, I confess that I no longer fear thefall I only dread the aimless motion, the infinite line that promised freedom and delivered nothing.

For without your pull, I would be condemned to wander forever. And that - more than any orbit - isthetrue prison.

Dominic S. (Ridley13)

You hung there in the dark, endless motion in your rhythm

Only a star, here I am, sanctified by your light I had mistaken your lovefor devotion, your ambition for dignity Yet I stood misguided Your burning light felt cold and hopeless, a torch ablaze in an empty room My light fulfilled your darkness, yet at what cost: inevitable infatuation?The grief of loss?

Alas, I am confronted by you - too much as I would please; your demeanor shifts. Your approach was subtle, yet guided, longing but parasocial. Though you arefree to turn away, you don’t, your defiance of natural order unsettling me softly.

I sing a sweet song; divine and unrelenting An infernal blaze of beauty masquerades across the cosmos interwoven with grace and humility Across the way, icy you, mellow and alone, blue blaze upon the horizon Though pity warms my aching heart I cannot bring myselfto experience the admiration of your cosmic devotion It is too much to bear

Though chaos builds in the galaxy around us, the entropy of existence exerted upon the universe. A sanctuary of my love isfabricated around us, the centre of being holding us up. Nonetheless, I recompense. Why do you return?You care not for my embrace, nor I for yours.

A lone pair, intertwined in fate Cataclysmic in nature, drawn together through love and hate

Tell me, then, did you recognise my love, or is thisthefinal straw? While I ache here, you torment me, filling my space with false pretenses and misbegotten lavishment As you strive tofind your centre, I drag you into my vortex, the gravity of my love crushes you. Salvation is negligible and hope is tarnished as we circle together. As my gravity pulls us together, I cannot ignore the disdain I harbour for you. Why must I innately encourage thisfutile affair?

Though without my pull, I would be condemned to wander aloneforever And that - more than any orbit - isthetrue prison